Melanurus Wrasse

Macroalgae Farms

Melanurus Wrasse

$71.24 $74.99
-5%

Key Features:
⭐ Kaleidoscopic blue, green, yellow, and red pinstripes with distinctive black-and-yellow tail spot
• One of the most effective natural pest controllers — hunts flatworms, bristleworms, and pyramidellid snails
• Reef-safe with corals and larger invertebrates — active, hardy, beginner-friendly
• Also hunts Montipora-eating nudibranchs — genuine functional reef defense

In stock

This product will be available for sale in 2 weeks, but you can pre-order now to receive 10% discount!

Estimated delivery between September 06 and September 08.

Melanurus Wrasse
$71.24 $74.99
$71.24 $74.99

About this item

Melanurus Wrasse

The Melanurus Wrasse (Halichoeres melanurus) is one of the most colorful, hardworking, and universally recommended reef wrasses available in the entire saltwater hobby. Males display a kaleidoscope of horizontal blue, green, yellow, and red pinstripes running the length of an elongated athletic body, completed by a distinctive black-and-yellow tail spot that gives this species its "Tail Spot Wrasse" alternate name — creating one of the most striking, functional, and instantly recognizable wrasses in the entire reef trade. Also known as the Hoeven's Wrasse or Pinstripe Wrasse, this Western Pacific reef fish combines exceptional coloration, active swimming behavior, and one of the most effective pest control services available from any reef fish, making it one of the most sought-after all-around reef wrasses in the hobby.

What makes the Melanurus Wrasse one of the most rewarding reef fish is the combination of striking coloration, dynamic patrolling behavior, and legitimate pest control utility. Melanurus Wrasses are tireless natural predators of flatworms, bristleworms, pyramidellid clam parasites, Montipora-eating nudibranchs, and other nuisance invertebrates that plague reef aquariums — one of the best biological pest controllers available for reef keepers dealing with flatworm outbreaks or bristleworm populations, and a functional living defense against several of the most common reef pests. Hardy, adaptable, active, and completely reef-safe with corals and larger invertebrates, the Melanurus Wrasse eats readily from day one and delivers both dramatic visual impact and practical reef function in a single fish.

Available Options

Full Starter Plant

One healthy Melanurus Wrasse ( Halichoeres melanurus ) — hand-selected from current availability. Kaleidoscopic blue, green, yellow, and red horizontal pinstripes with distinctive black-and-yellow tail spot. Excellent natural predator of flatworms, bristleworms, pyramidellid snails, and Montipora-eating nudibranchs. Active, colorful, and reef-safe with corals — one of the best all-around functional reef wrasses.

Care Information

Temperature 72–78°F (22–26°C)
Salinity 1.023–1.026 — stable parameters recommended
Tank Size 55 gallon minimum — sand bed 1-2" deep required for burrowing
Diet Carnivore — mysis, brine, pellets, flake, frozen preparations, natural pest hunting
Temperament Peaceful — reef-safe with corals, will eat small ornamental inverts
Care Level Easy — hardy and beginner-friendly reef wrasse

Special Considerations

Melanurus Wrasses are notorious jumpers and require a tight-fitting lid or mesh screen — this is mandatory husbandry, not optional. A sand bed of at least 1 to 2 inches (fine sugar-fine sand preferred) is required for the Melanurus to sleep buried in at night — this burrowing behavior is completely normal and healthy, not a sign of stress or illness. Provide an established reef aquarium (55 gallons minimum) with live rock offering both hiding spots and open swimming lanes for this active mid-column patrolling wrasse. Melanurus Wrasses are peaceful with tankmates but will actively hunt and consume small ornamental invertebrates including sexy shrimp, small cleaner shrimp, small hermit crabs, tiny snails, and pyramidellid clam parasites — larger established cleaner shrimp (Lysmata species) sometimes coexist safely, especially if added to the tank first. Melanurus Wrasses may spar with other Halichoeres wrasses and should not be housed with similar-looking species unless the tank is very large; keep only one Melanurus per tank. Feed a varied carnivore diet 1 to 2 times daily; Melanurus Wrasses eat prepared foods readily and will also hunt any available flatworms, bristleworms, and Montipora-eating nudibranchs as natural food sources. Adult size approximately 5 to 6 inches. Completely reef-safe with corals and larger invertebrates.

🔍 Aquarium Insights

The Melanurus Wrasse is one of the most functional and universally appealing reef wrasses available to reef keepers:

  • Kaleidoscopic blue, green, yellow, and red pinstripes with distinctive tail spot — one of the most striking mid-size reef wrasses in the hobby
  • One of the most effective natural pest controllers in the reef trade — actively hunts flatworms, bristleworms, pyramidellid snails, and Montipora-eating nudibranchs
  • A hardy, colorful, reef-safe wrasse that combines dramatic display presence with genuine biological pest control utility — one of the best all-around wrasses for reef aquariums

Learn More

For detailed species information, compatibility, and care tips, visit our Species Library.

Livestock Disclaimer

Due to natural variation, the Melanurus Wrasse you receive will be hand-selected from current availability. Males display the full kaleidoscope of blue, green, yellow, and red horizontal pinstripes with the distinctive black-and-yellow tail spot; females and juveniles show similar patterns with less color intensity. Individual specimens may vary in size, sex, color saturation, and stripe pattern. Specific size and sex cannot be guaranteed and are determined at packing time.

Photographs are representative examples. Individual specimens may vary in size, color intensity, and marking prominence.

Melanurus Wrasses require a tight-fitting lid or mesh screen — this species is a notorious jumper. As with all live animals, proper acclimation and a suitable, established environment are essential for best results.

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